Retainer system for tonneau cover

ABSTRACT

A tonneau system for a pickup bed comprising a side rail connectable with a sidewall of the pickup bed, a header system having a header member, and a retainer system operably coupled between the side rail and the header system. The retainer system can include a header retaining member and a header lock selectively coupled between the header member and the header retaining member. The header lock engages the header retaining member in both a header engaging position coupled to the side rail and a header disengaging position decoupled from the side rail to retain the header retaining member in the header engaging position and the header disengaging position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/660,104 filed on Oct. 25, 2012, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/552,006, filed on Oct. 27, 2011. Theentire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to storage systems for vehicles. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a retainer system foruse in a tonneau cover system.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Pickups are a popular type of vehicle because, at least in part, thepickup enables objects of various sizes to be placed in the bed of thepickup and then transported. The bed of the pickup generally has a floorsurface that is bounded by a front wall, side walls and a back wall. Atleast one of the front wall, the side walls and the back wall may bemovable to facilitate placing objects into the bed and removing objectsfrom the bed.

Covers are often used to enclose the bed of the pickup to conceal orotherwise protect the contents of the bed. These covers are typicallysoft tonneau covers that can be removed or folded or are hard bed coversthat are generally planar and may be of unitary construction or aresegmented to be stacked in a bi or tri-fold type configuration. Thesecovers can be positioned in an extended position generally covering thebed or in a stowed position generally exposing at least a portion of thebed.

In many circumstances, a soft-type tonneau cover is preferred in orderto provide simplified storage of the retracted tonneau cover, variableconcealment positions, convenient installation and removal, and/orreliable concealment of the bed. However, in some conventional soft-typetonneau cover systems, assembly of the soft-type tonneau cover to thesupport structure can be difficult and, in some cases, cumbersome. Inparticular, in some conventional soft-type tonneau cover systems, aheader assembly, which carries the rolled-up soft-type tonneau cover,can be difficult to install, remove, and/or fasten to the supportstructure mounted to the walls of the pickup.

Therefore, there exists a need to provide a soft-type tonneau coversystem that is capable of providing sufficient protection to the bedand/or its contents. Moreover, there exists a need to provide asoft-type tonneau cover system this is more easily configured, mounted,and/or removed from the pickup.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to the principles of the present teachings, a tonneau systemfor a pickup bed is provided comprising a side rail connectable with asidewall of the pickup bed, a header system having a header member, anda retainer system operably coupled between the side rail and the headersystem. The retainer system has a header retaining member slidablycoupled with the header member. The header retaining member ispositionable into a header engaging position coupling the header systemto the side rail and positionable into a header disengaging positiondecoupling the header system from the side rail. The retainer systemfurther includes a header lock selectively coupled between the headermember and the header retaining member. The header lock engages theheader retaining member in both the header engaging position and theheader disengaging position to retain the header retaining member in theheader engaging position and the header disengaging position.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pickup bed of a truck having asoft-type tonneau cover system according to the present teachings in anextended position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the soft-type tonneau cover systemaccording to the present teachings;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the spring retainer systemaccording to the present teachings;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the spring retainer systemaccording to the present teachings in a locked position;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the spring retainer systemaccording to the present teachings in a locked position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the spring retainer system according tothe present teachings; and

FIG. 17A is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having a friction retention system;

FIG. 17B is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having a depression feature;

FIG. 17C is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having a plurality of depression features;

FIG. 17D is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having a plurality of depression features;

FIG. 17E is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having a plurality of ratchet features;

FIG. 17F is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having a stud and hole retention system;

FIG. 17G is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having an internal channel formed within the headerretaining member;

FIG. 17H is a partial cross-section view of the internal channel of FIG.17G; and

FIG. 17I is a schematic view of a retaining system according to thepresent teachings having a cam lock retention system.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to thosewho are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth suchas examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need notbe employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”,“connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

With reference to the several figures, a spring retainer system 10 willbe described in connection with a soft-type tonneau cover system 200 ofa pickup or other vehicle 300. The spring retainer system 10 isparticularly well suited to simplify the mounting, removal, andoperation of the header structure that supports the tonneau cover (whichwill be described in more detail herein).

Although the spring retainer system 10 will be described in connectionwith the header structure, it should be recognized that the design andconstruction of the spring retainer system 10 can be applicable anduseful in any one of a number of connection scenarios, includingconnection of other members separate from the header structure.Moreover, the present teachings are particularly well-suited for usewith the soft-type tonneau cover system 200, however it should beunderstood that spring retainer system 10 can also be used with ahard-type tonneau system or any other structure wherein a quick andreliable spring retainer system is beneficial.

According to the principles of the present teachings, the soft-typetonneau cover system, including spring retainer system 10, is providedfor use with pickup 300. The soft-type tonneau cover system 200 enablespickup bed 302 to be selectively concealed or revealed based on thepositioning of soft-type tonneau cover system 200 relative to pickup bed302, as illustrated throughout the figures.

Briefly, pickup bed 302 of pickup 300 can comprise a plurality ofsidewalls, namely a front wall 304, a pair of sidewalls 306, and a rearwall or tailgate 308. These walls extend vertically from a bottomsurface 310 (FIG. 2). Traditionally, walls 304, 306, 308 generallyextend to a common height above bottom surface 310 and define an upper,generally flat, surface 312 extending about the top of walls 304, 306,308.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, soft-type tonneaucover system 200 can comprise a bracket system 202 for mounting to anyone or more walls 304, 306, 308. In some embodiments, bracket system 202can be mounted to sidewalls 306 to provide support soft-type tonneaucover system 200. More particularly, in some embodiments, soft-typetonneau cover system 200 can comprise a soft tonneau cover 204 that issupported by a plurality of cross-vehicle bows 206 that extend throughand/or are coupled to tonneau cover 204. Each of the plurality ofcross-vehicle bows 206 can comprise end caps and/or other hardware, ifdesired. A front header assembly 208 can be coupled to tonneau cover 204for coupling tonneau cover 204 to bracket system 202 and, moreparticularly, front wall 304 of pickup 300. Front header assembly 208will be described in detail herein. A rear header assembly 210 cansimilarly be coupled to tonneau cover 204 for coupling tonneau cover 204to bracket system 202 and, more particularly, rear wall or tailgate 308of pickup 300. Rear header assembly 210 is selectively connectable totailgate 308, or at least side rails 214 that are coupled to sidewalls306, via a releasable header stop and latch assembly 212.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, side rails 214can extend generally the length of sidewalls 306 of pickup bed 302. Insome embodiments, side rails 214 can be fixedly coupled to sidewalls 306via a clamp assembly 216 (see FIG. 2). Clamp assembly 216 can be made ofaluminum and can comprise a pair of clamp members that are fastenedtogether to clampingly engage a portion, such as a flange, of sidewalls306. As illustrated in FIG. 2, side rails 214 can be mounted to surface312 of walls 304, 306, 308, especially sidewalls 306. In someembodiments, side rails 214 comprise an inclined surface 217 having afastener system 218, such as a hook and loop fastening system, coupledthereto. A complementary fastener piece can extend along side portionsof soft tonneau cover 204 for releasably securing soft tonneau cover 204to side rails 214.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3-16, front header assembly 208 willnow be described in detail. In some embodiments, front header assembly208 can comprise a front header 12 removably coupled in a cross-vehicledirection to side rails 214. Front header 12 can, in some embodiments,define a planar structure having a centrally-disposed T-shaped orcross-shaped channel 14 extending along an underside 16 thereof. Itshould be recognized that alternative shapes can be used that areconducive to receiving a corresponding feature of a retaining member 18,to be described below. It should be understood that channel 14 can beconfigured to extend the entire length of front header 12, asillustrated. However, in some embodiments, channel 14 can extend onlyalong one end of front header 12 (e.g. an end adjacent one of the siderails 214) or along both ends of front header 12. It should further beunderstood that channel 14 can be integrally formed with front header12, such as through an extrusion process or post manufacturing process(e.g. machining), or can be fastened or otherwise joined to front header12, such as along a bottom or underside surface of front header 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, soft-type tonneau cover system 200 cancomprise a front header adjustment system 220 having an adjustmentmember 222 that is threadingly engaged with a mount member 224 extendingfrom side rail 214. Front header adjustment system 220 can extend avariable distance past mount member 224 and engage front header 12 toposition front header 12 in a desired fore and aft location.

In some embodiments, a header retaining member 18 can be provided forretaining front header 12 and side rail 214 or other structure. In someembodiments, channel 14 of front header 12 can be shaped and sized toslidably receive at least a portion of slidable header retaining member18 to permit retaining member 18 to be at least partially secured withinchannel 14. In some embodiments, header retaining member 18 can beslidably secured to or retained with front header 12, such as along abottom side surface of front header 12. In some embodiments, asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, header retaining member 18 can comprise aslot guide 20 extending upward from a top surface 22. As illustrated inFIG. 4, slot guide 20 can comprise a T-shaped or cross-shaped guide thatis sized to be slidably received within channel 14 of front header 12.Header retaining member 18 can further comprise a distal engagingportion 24 having a tapered end portion 26. Distal engaging portion 24can be offset or spaced apart a distance from top surface 22 such that,as illustrated in the several figures, header retaining member 18 can beslid outwardly or outboardly (in a cross-vehicle direction) to engage orcapture a portion of side rail 214 or other retaining structure betweendistal engaging portion 24 and underside 16 of front header 12. In someembodiments, slot guide 20 can comprise a cantilevered portion 28 thatcan further extend within channel 14 and further extend outboardly toengage or capture a portion of side rail 214 or other structure.

On an opposing end of header retaining member 18 from distal engagingportion 24 is a proximal abutment portion 30. Proximal abutment portion30 can be shaped to define any shape that is both comfortable forgripping by a user and reliable for engagement with a header retainingmember lock 32. Proximal abutment portion 30 can include a flangeportion 35 for gripping, if desired. Still further, header retainingmember 18 can comprise one or more reinforcement members 37 forproviding enhanced structural integrity. Header retaining member 18 canbe made of any conducive material, including plastic, fiberglass,aluminum, and the like.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 and 17A-17J, springretainer system 10 can further comprise header retaining member lock 32being partially disposed with channel 14 of front header 12 (see FIG.5). In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 and 17A17E, headerretaining member lock 32 can comprise a body portion 34, an elbowportion 36, and an enlarged head portion 38. In some embodiments, bodyportion 34 is sized to be slidably received within channel 14 of frontheader 12, yet remain captured within channel 14. That is, in someembodiments, a width of body portion 34 of header retaining member lock32 is less than a maximum width of channel 14 and greater than a widthof the exposed slot width 40 of channel 14 (see FIG. 5).

Header retaining member lock 32, in some embodiments, can be coupled tofront header 12 in a desired location via a fastening system 42. In someembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3-5, fastening system 42 cancomprise a fastener 44 (e.g. cap screw), a washer 46, an aperture 48formed in body portion 34 of header retaining member lock 32, and a weldnut 50 having a threaded aperture 52 formed therein. Duringinstallation, weld nut 50 can be fixedly coupled to body portion 34 ofheader retaining member lock 32 adjacent aperture 48 and headerretaining member lock 32 can be slidably disposed within channel 14 offront header 12. Fastener 44, including washing 46, can be threadedlyengaged with weld nut 50 from an exterior side of front header 12 suchthat, upon tightening, fastening system 42 exerts a clamping force uponfront header 12 to maintain header retaining member lock 32 in apredetermined position.

In this position, elbow portion 36, having a width less than the exposedslot width 40 of channel 14, can extend from body portion 34 (which iscontained within channel 14) to enlarged head portion 38 (which isexternal to channel 14). Elbow portion 36 can be turned or otherwiseshaped to define a contacting surface 54, such as a flat surface forexample, for contact abutment portion 30 or other structure of headerretaining member 18. Body portion 34 of header retaining member lock 32can define a length sufficient to permit elastic deformation duringoperation; namely, to permit elastic deformation of body portion 34through application of an upward or downward force applied to enlargedhead portion 38 by a user to urge header retaining member lock 32 into aretracted/extended and unlocked position. In some embodiments, in aretracted and unlocked position, enlarged head portion 38 can be nestedabove header retaining member 18 to thereby disengage contacting surface54 from abutment portion 30 or other retaining structure to permitinboard retraction of header retaining member 18. Contact frictionbetween enlarged head portion 38 of header retaining member lock 32 andheader retaining member 18 can serve to retain header retaining member18 in this retracted position. In some embodiments, contacting surface54 can be used to abut a retraction limit surface 56 (FIG. 4) formed onslot guide 20, to provide a positive stop limit for retraction.

It should be understood that a wide variety of header retaining memberlocks 32 can be used in according with the present teachings. That is,with reference to FIGS. 17A-17I, header retaining member lock 32 cancomprise any one of a number of retention methods and configurationssufficient to retain header retaining member 18 in the latched andlocked position and the unlatched position. In some embodiments, asillustrated herein, header retaining member 18 can be locked orotherwise retained in the unlatched position.

With particular reference to FIG. 17A, in some embodiments, headerretaining member lock 32 can comprise body portion 34, elbow portion 36,and head portion 38. In this embodiment, body portion 34 is sized to beslidably received within and captured by channel 14 of front header 12or otherwise coupled to front header 12 via alternative means. In thisembodiment, head portion 38, and particularly contacting surface 54, issized and configured to be pulled or otherwise extended downwardly (e.g.toward the floor of the pickup bed) from a position contacting abutmentsurface 30 in the latched and locked position to a position permittinghead portion 38 to ride or slide along a surface 70 of header retainingmember 18 as header retaining member 18 is moved from the latched andlocked position to the unlatched position. Once header retaining member18 is moved to the unlatched position, frictional force between headportion 38 and surface 70 can retain header retaining member 18 in theunlatched position.

Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, in some embodiments, a retentionfeature 72 can be formed along surface 70 to permit head portion 38 ofheader retaining member 18 to be captured therein to more positivelyretain header retaining member 18 in the unlatch position.

Still further, as illustrated in FIGS. 17C-E, in some embodiments, aplurality of retention features 72 can be formed along surface 70 topermit head portion 38 of header retaining member 18 to be captured inany one of the plurality of retention features 72 to positively retainheader retaining member 18 in any one of a number of positions,including the latched position, the unlatched position, and positionsintermediate therebetween. These intermediate positions may accommodatevariations in pickup bed sizes, configurations, and/or installationdimensions. It should be recognized that retention features 72 candefine any one of a number of cross-sectional shapes, such asdepressions, slots, channels, ramped or ratcheted surfaces (see FIG.17E), and the like.

Moreover, in some embodiments, header retaining member lock 32 candefine any one of a number of configurations. By way of non-limitingexample, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 17F, headerretaining member 18 can comprise a header retaining member lock 32 beingfixedly coupled therewith for movement with header retaining member 18.In this way, header retaining member lock 32 can be releasably retainedby a retention plate 74 fastened or otherwise coupled to front header12. In some embodiments, header retaining member lock 32 and retentionplate 74 can collectively include a male portion 76 and a female portion78 that can be selectively coupled to prevent inadvertent movement ofheader retaining member 18 relative to front header 12. In someembodiments, male portion 76 comprises a stud and female portion 78comprises an aperture sized to receive the stud. However, it should beunderstood that male portion 76 and female portion 78 can define anycomplementary shapes. Moreover, it should be understood that maleportion 76 can extend from either header retaining member lock 32 orretention plate 74, and likewise female portion 78 can be associatedwith the other of the header retaining member lock 32 and retentionplate 74.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 17G-17H, header retainingmember lock 32 can be sized and shaped to be received with a channel 80formed within header retaining member 18. More particularly, retainingmember lock 32 can be biased such that contact surface 54 of headportion 38 is positioned to engage abutment portion 30 of headerretaining member 18 in the latched position. However, during anunlatching movement, head portion 38 of retaining member lock 32 can bedepressed thereby urging head portion 38 upward in to channel 80 andpermitting header retaining member 18 to slide into the unlatchedposition.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 17I, header retaining memberlock 32 can comprise a cam latch system having a cam lever 82 pivotallymounted to header retaining member 18. Cam lever 82 can be coupled to acam stop 84 being sized and shaped to be slidably received withinchannel 14 and in operable contact therewith. Actuation of cam lever 82between closed/locked and open/unlocked positions applies or releases,respectively, a compression force on cam stop 84 that clampingly engageschannel 14, thereby clampingly retaining header retaining member 18 in adesired position (e.g. latched position, unlatched position, or anyother position along channel 14). Cam lever 82 and cam stop 84 can beconfigured for adjustment, such as via a threaded engagementtherebetween, to permit an over-center condition in at least theclosed/locked position (see FIG. 17I).

Finally, it should be understood that header retaining member 18 can befixedly retaining in a desired position using a conventional fastener(e.g. screw, bolt, and the like) to join header retaining member 18 tofront header 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, header retaining member lock 32 can furthercomprise a narrowed portion 58 formed in body portion 34. Narrowedportion 58 can be used to capture and retaining a loop portion 60 of asafety strap 62. Safety strap 62 can be used to restrain or otherwisecontain tonneau cover 204 when rolled-up in a retracted position.Tonneau cover 204 can thus be coupled and retained on front header 12,thereby permitting removal of tonneau cover 204 from side rails 214 (andpickup 300) when desired.

More particularly, during installation of tonneau cover 204 and frontheader 12 to side rails 214 mounted on pickup 300, front header 12 canbe placed in a cross-vehicle direction such that ends of front header 12are placed upon side rails 214. Weight of front header 12 and tonneaucover 204 can thus be carried by side rails 214, sidewalls 306 of pickup300. Once front header 12 is placed on side rails 214, header retainingmembers 18 (in mirrored orientation on opposing ends of front header 12)are manually actuated by the user in an outward or outboard directionsuch that distal engaging portion 24 engages or capture a portion ofside rail 214 between distal engaging portion 24 and underside 16 offront header 12. Once abutment portion 30 slides past elbow portion 36of header retaining member lock 32, the biasing force of headerretaining member lock 32 causes header retaining member lock 32 to snapdownward into a locked position. In this locked position, elbow portion36, namely contacting surface 54, contacts abutment portion 30 andprevents inboard retraction of header retaining members 18. In thisposition, front header 12 is firmly and safely locked into engagementwith side rails 214.

During removal of tonneau cover 204 and front header 12, an oppositeoperation can be completed—namely, header retaining member locks 32 canbe urged upward such that header retaining member locks 32 are receivedwithin channel 14. Once header retaining member locks 32 are disengagedfrom abutment portion 30 of header retaining members 18, headerretaining members 18 can be manually slid inboard and, thus, disengagedfrom side rails 214. Tonneau cover 204 and front header 12 can then beremoved from pickup 300.

It should be understood that alternatives exist in connection with thepresent teachings. In some embodiments, a ratchet system can be used.That is, a one-way ratchet system can be affixed to either front header12 or header retaining member 18 that permits header retaining member 18to move freely in an outboard direction, but prevents movement in aninboard direction. This ratchet system can have multiple engagementteeth or simply singular lock/release positions. In some embodiments, acam lever can be coupled with the header retaining member 18 and channel14 to cammingly or clampingly engage header retaining member 18 relativeto front header 12 when in an engaged position. Finally, in someembodiments a thumb screw can be used that extend through the headerretaining member 18 and threadedly engages a slide within the channel14.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tonneau system for a pickup bed, said tonneausystem comprising: a side rail connectable with a sidewall of the pickupbed; a header; and a spring retainer system operably coupled betweensaid side rail and said header, said spring retainer system having aheader retaining member slidably coupled with said header, said headerretaining member being positionable into a header engaging positioncoupling said header to said side rail and positionable into a headerdisengaging position decoupling said header from said side rail, saidspring retainer system further having a header lock being selectivelycoupled between said header and said header retaining member, saidheader retaining member lock engaging said header retaining member inboth said header engaging position and said header disengaging positionto retain said header retaining member in said header engaging positionand said header disengaging position.
 2. The tonneau system according toclaim 1 wherein said header comprises a channel extending at leastpartially along a length of said header, said header retaining memberbeing at least partially secured within said channel.
 3. The tonneausystem according to claim 2 wherein said channel extends along an entirelength of said header.
 4. The tonneau system according to claim 2wherein said channel extends along a portion of said header adjacent anend of said header.
 5. The tonneau system according to claim 2 whereinsaid channel extends along a portion of opposing ends of said header. 6.The tonneau system according to claim 2 wherein said header retainingmember lock is positionable into an unlocked position whereby saidheader retaining member lock is depressed to a position at leastpartially within said channel thereby permitting said header retainingmember to slide within said channel from said header engaging positionto said header disengaging position.
 7. The tonneau system according toclaim 1 wherein said header retaining member lock is positionable intoan unlocked position whereby said header retaining member lock isextended in a direction opposite said header thereby permitting saidheader retaining member to slide from said header engaging position tosaid header disengaging position.
 8. The tonneau system according toclaim 1 wherein said header retaining member is slidably coupled to abottom surface of said header.
 9. The tonneau system according to claim1 wherein said header retaining member lock engaging said headerretaining member comprises said header retaining member lock engaging aretention feature formed in said header retaining member.
 10. Thetonneau system according to claim 9 wherein said header retaining memberlock engaging said header retaining member comprises said headerretaining member lock engaging said retention feature in said headerengaging position.
 11. The tonneau system according to claim 9 whereinsaid header retaining member lock engaging said header retaining membercomprises said header retaining member lock engaging said retentionfeature in said header disengaging position.
 12. The tonneau systemaccording to claim 9 wherein said retention feature is a depressionformed in said header retaining member.
 13. The tonneau system accordingto claim 9 wherein said retention feature comprises a plurality ofdepressions formed in said header retaining member.
 14. The tonneausystem according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of depressionscomprises a plurality of ratchet depressions to permit ratchetingengagement of said header retaining member lock with said headerretaining member.
 15. The tonneau system according to claim 9 whereinsaid retention feature is a depression formed in said header retainingmember.
 16. The tonneau system according to claim 1 wherein said headerretaining member lock engaging said header retaining member comprisessaid header retaining member lock frictionally engaging said headerretaining member.
 17. The tonneau system according to claim 1 whereinsaid header retaining member lock engaging said header retaining membercomprises said header retaining member lock extending within a channelformed within said header retaining member in said header disengagingposition.
 18. The tonneau system according to claim 2 wherein saidheader retaining member comprises: a body portion having a distalengaging portion; and a slot guide member extending from said bodyportion, said slot guide member being received and slidably retainedwithin said channel, a portion of said slot guide member extendingthrough said slot of said channel, wherein said body portion and saidslot guide member together are positionable into said header engagingposition coupling said header to said side rail such that said distalengaging portion engages said side rail and positionable into saidheader disengaging position.
 19. The tonneau system according to claim18 wherein said body portion of said header retaining member furthercomprises an abutment portion disposed opposite of said distal engagingportion, said abutment portion being engageable with said headerretaining member lock in said header engaging position.
 20. The tonneausystem according to claim 18 wherein said distal engaging portioncomprises a tapered end portion.